46 Christmas Potluck Ideas: Easy Mains, Sides, Appetizers and Desserts

Christmas potluck ideas make the season so much easier to enjoy. When everyone brings a dish, nobody spends the whole day in the kitchen, and the table ends up far more varied than anything one person could cook alone.

I’ve gathered 46 Christmas potluck recipes from food bloggers, split into mains and sides, appetizers and desserts. Each one links to the original recipe, so you can check the ingredients and method before choosing what to bring. If you’re hosting a Christmas get-together with friends, start with my guide to Friendsmas food ideas for a potluck or party night, which walks you through planning the menu and sharing out the dishes.

How to Choose What to Bring to a Christmas Potluck

Start by asking the host what’s needed. A potluck with ten desserts and no main is fun for about five minutes. Once you know your category, think about how the dish will travel and how it will be served. If you’re hosting on Christmas Eve, my Christmas Eve grazing buffet guide shows how to set up a spread guests can dip into as they arrive.

Choose dishes that travel well. Casseroles, tray bakes, cheese balls and cookies can go straight from your car to the table.
Think about oven space. The host’s oven is usually full, so slow cooker dishes and food served cold or at room temperature are a real help.
Make enough to share. Ask how many people are coming and plan for a small portion each rather than a full serving.
Bring the serving spoon. Add a label with the dish name and any common allergens, too, so guests can choose with confidence.

Christmas Potluck Main Dishes and Sides

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These are the dishes that turn a buffet of nibbles into a proper meal. Many of them are made in the slow cooker, which means they can arrive hot and stay warm on the table. I’ve included a vegetarian casserole and a few fresh salads so there’s something for everyone.

Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Casserole

Photo credit: The Buttery Fairytale

Spaghetti, sauce and juicy meatballs baked under plenty of melted cheese. A big dish of this feeds a crowd and keeps everyone happy, from little ones to grandparents.

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Photo credit: Little Nonni

A hearty baked pasta with Italian sausage and a cheesy topping. It’s an easy main to carry in its baking dish and serve straight from the pan.

Easy Crockpot Lasagna

Photo credit: Homeschool and Happiness

All the comfort of lasagna, made in the slow cooker with Prego sauce. Bring it in the crockpot and plug it in to keep it warm on the buffet.

Crockpot Shepherd's Pie

Photo credit: Savor the Mess

Savory beef and vegetables under a layer of creamy mashed potatoes, made in the slow cooker. A cozy, filling main that’s ready when you are.

Crockpot Beef Tips and Gravy

Photo credit: I Heart Naptime

Tender beef tips in a rich gravy, cooked low and slow. Pair it with a potato side from this list and you have a proper Christmas dinner plate.

Slow Cooker Bison Roast

Photo credit: In the Kitch

A juicy bison chuck roast that’s a little different from the usual ham or turkey. A great choice if you’d like your main dish to be the talking point of the table.

Smothered Turkey Wings

Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness

Turkey wings cooked in a rich, savory gravy until they’re fall-apart tender. All the comfort of a turkey dinner, and much easier to share than a whole bird.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs

Photo credit: Mary's Whole Life

Sweet cranberry and a kick of jalapeño make these meatballs stand out. Keep them warm in the slow cooker and set out toothpicks so they double as an appetizer.

Sweet and Tangy Cranberry Meatballs

Photo credit: The Forked Spoon

Tender meatballs in a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, made in the slow cooker. If you’ve been asked to bring something for a big crowd, a batch of these is hard to beat.

Old-Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese

Photo credit: Dear Crissy

Three cheeses and a simple sauce, baked until golden and bubbly. It’s the side dish that always disappears first.

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole

Photo credit: This Silly Girl's Kitchen

Cracker Barrel’s famous cheesy hashbrown casserole, made at home. It’s comforting, easy to make in a big batch and goes with every main on the table.

Crockpot Broccoli Rice Casserole

Photo credit: Vegetarian South

A cheesy broccoli and rice casserole made in the slow cooker. It’s vegetarian and filling, so it works as a side for most guests and a main for some.

5-Ingredient Green Bean Casserole

Photo credit: Little Black Skillet

The classic French’s green bean casserole, upgraded with frozen whole green beans. Just five ingredients for a creamy, comforting holiday side.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Photo credit: In the Kids' Kitchen

Creamy sweet potatoes under a layer of toasted marshmallows. A holiday classic that kids love to help make.

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries

Photo credit: State of Dinner

Maple-roasted squash with cranberries, toasted pecans and creamy goat cheese. Sweet, savory and as pretty as it is easy.

Quick and Easy Christmas Salad

Photo credit: Carrots & Cookies

A bright, festive salad that brings some freshness to a table full of rich dishes. Every potluck needs at least one.

Caprese Salad Wreath

Photo credit: Kitchen Ready Betty

Tomatoes, mozzarella and basil arranged into a Christmas wreath. Fresh, colorful and a lovely centerpiece for the buffet.

Shredded Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad

Photo credit: Rachel Phipps

A slaw-like Caesar made with shredded Brussels sprouts, homemade croutons, dried cherries and pecans. A fresh, crunchy contrast to all the casseroles.

Christmas Potluck Appetizers

Appetizers keep everyone happy while the last dishes arrive. Look for bites people can eat standing up and chatting, like cheese balls, dips, pinwheels and pull-apart bread. For more finger food, browse my Christmas appetizer ideas.

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

Photo credit: Next Level Baker

Cream cheese and sharp cheddar rolled with tart cranberries and crunchy pecans. Set it on a board with crackers and it does all the work of a starter on its own.

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Photo credit: OhClary

Flaky puff pastry rolled up with turkey, creamy brie and cranberry sauce, then sliced into easy finger food. They taste like Christmas dinner in a single bite.

Scallion Olive Party Dip Christmas Wreath

Photo credit: Erica's Recipes

A creamy party dip shaped into a Christmas wreath. It makes a festive centerpiece for the appetizer table and gives everyone a reason to gather around.

Reindeer Cheese Ball

Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen

A savory cheese ball decorated as an adorable reindeer. It’s guaranteed to be the most photographed dish at the potluck.

Lake House Deviled Eggs

Photo credit: Style and Grace

Creamy, classic deviled eggs dressed up for an elegant appetizer, with handy tips for getting them right every time. Pack them in a lidded container and keep them chilled until you arrive.

Christmas Empanadas

Photo credit: Little Nomads Recipes

Red and green empanadas filled with chicken and creamy avocado, made in the air fryer or the oven. They’re handheld, filling and a big hit with kids.

Roasted Balsamic Cranberry Brie Crostini

Photo credit: NeighborFood

Sticky roasted balsamic cranberries spooned over brie on crisp toasts. Elegant, but simple enough to assemble when you arrive.

Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting

Buttery, cheesy bread shaped like a Christmas tree that everyone can tear a piece from. It’s a crowd-pleaser and a cheerful centerpiece all in one.

Cranberry Goat Cheese Truffles

Photo credit: Your Flavor Fixer

Bite-sized goat cheese truffles that are sweet, creamy, crunchy and slightly tart. They’re made for a holiday grazing table.

Cranberry Jalapeño Dip with Whipped Cream Cheese

Photo credit: The Oregon Dietitian

Whipped cream cheese topped with a sweet and spicy cranberry jalapeño mix. Bring plenty of crackers for scooping, because it will disappear fast.

Brie en Croute

Photo credit: Chew Out Loud

Brie wrapped in golden puff pastry and baked until gooey. Ask your host for a few minutes of oven time if you’d like to serve it warm.

Reindeer Mini Cheese Balls

Photo credit: Hip Hip Gourmet

Creamy, savory mini cheese balls decorated as reindeer, and easy to make ahead. Everyone gets their own, so there’s no waiting for the cheese knife.

Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole Rounds

Photo credit: Thanksgiving Mommy

Single-serve sweet potato slices glazed with cinnamon honey and topped with pineapple, cranberries and toasted marshmallows. All the flavor of the casserole in one handy bite.

Christmas Potluck Desserts

Dessert is the easiest category to sign up for, and the most fun. Cookies, bars and tarts are simple to transport and portion, while a no-bake cake or a cheesecake makes a beautiful centerpiece for the dessert table. My easy Christmas cookie recipes include sturdy options you can bake ahead and bring in a tin.

Gingerbread Cheesecake

Photo credit: Homemade In The Kitchen

A gingersnap crust and a spiced molasses filling make this one taste like Christmas in every bite. It skips the water bath, which makes it a friendlier bake when your kitchen is already busy.

Chocolate Linzer Cookies

Photo credit: Chef's Pencil

Pretty sandwich cookies with a chocolate filling peeking through the cutout. They stack neatly in a tin, so they’re one of the easiest desserts to carry to a potluck.

No-Bake Italian Christmas Pudding Cake

Photo credit: The Wine Lover's Kitchen

A big, no-bake showstopper made for feeding a crowd. If you’ve been asked to bring dessert for a large group and your oven is already spoken for, this is the one.

Peppermint Brownies with a Candy Cane Crackle Top

Photo credit: The Delicious Spoon

Fudgy brownies rippled with peppermint chocolate and finished with crushed candy canes. Cut them into small squares and a single pan goes a long way on the dessert table.

Cranberry Fluff Salad

Photo credit: Kitchen Ready Betty

Fresh cranberries, jello and Cool Whip folded into a creamy, festive fluff that you make ahead. It’s a nostalgic potluck favorite that sits happily alongside the cakes and cookies.

Gingerbread Blossoms

Photo credit: Liv's Little Muffins

Soft, chewy gingerbread cookies topped with a Hershey’s Hug. They’re bite-sized, kid-friendly and easy to pile high on a platter.

Easy Eggnog Pound Cake

Photo credit: Chenée Today

A moist eggnog pound cake you can make from scratch or with a cake mix, with an optional splash of rum for an adults-only version. A pound cake is one of the easiest bakes to transport and slice.

Coconut Snowman Cheese Ball

Photo credit: Flavorful Eats

A sweet, creamy dessert cheese ball coated in coconut flakes to look like a snowman. Serve it with cookies for dipping and watch the kids make a beeline for it.

Baked Peppermint Bark Cheesecake

Photo credit: State of Dinner

A white chocolate cheesecake with crushed candy canes and a silky chocolate ganache. It’s everything you love about peppermint bark, in cheesecake form.

Gingerbread Oreo Blondies

Photo credit: EatCookBake

Fudgy, chewy gingerbread blondies packed with white chocolate chips and Oreos. A tray bake like this is easy to slice into as many pieces as you need.

Layered Christmas Jello

Photo credit: Jello Joy

Layers of red, white and green jello made with just four ingredients. It’s bright, fun and a good make-ahead choice for a family potluck with lots of children.

Gingerbread Christmas Donuts

Photo credit: Chef's Pencil

Spiced donuts with all the festive flavor of a gingerbread cookie. Something a little different from the usual pies and cakes on the dessert table.

Eggnog Cheesecake

Photo credit: The Wine Lover's Kitchen

A creamy cheesecake with the warm, spiced flavor of eggnog. A lovely choice if you want a classic dessert that still tastes like the season.

Classic Christmas Mincemeat Tarts

Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic

Buttery, flaky pastry filled with spiced fruit, citrus and a hint of brandy. Individual tarts mean no slicing at the table, and they look so pretty stacked on a plate.

Cranberry Toffee Bread Pudding

Photo credit: Food Meanderings

Bread pudding made with condensed milk, cranberries and toffee bits, finished with caramel sauce. Warm, rich and generous, it’s exactly what you want on a cold December night.

Planning a Christmas Potluck With Friends?

If you’re bringing friends together this December, my Friendsmas inspiration guide has ideas for making the night feel special, and these Friendsmas games are an easy way to keep the evening going once everyone has eaten. To keep track of the menu and who is bringing what, my free Christmas planner printables are a handy place to start.

Whatever you choose, pick a dish you’ll enjoy making. Merry Christmas, and happy potlucking!

Luci McQuitty Hindmarsh

Hello, I’m Luci, founder of Mums Make Lists. The site is full of useful and fun ideas for life and seasonal celebrations. Plus a growing selection of instantly downloadable fun printables and party planners. Read more.

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